The Cole Memo

On May 16, 2023, Metrc announced that Illinois planned to award the company a contract for its cannabis seed-to-sale tracking system.

According to a press release issued today by the State of Illinois, the state will transition to Metrc as its new seed-to-sale tracking system for medical and adult-use cannabis sometime this summer. The system will introduce RFID tags to track cannabis plants from seed to sale. Unlike other states, Illinois says cannabis businesses will not be charged for these tags, subject to certain restrictions. The press release also highlighted that Metrc will integrate with point-of-sale systems.

“We look forward to this new partnership with Metrc to ensure Illinois continues advancing the safest and most secure cannabis market,” said Erin Johnson, Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer. “We are eager to work alongside the Metrc team to enhance compliance efficiencies, promote industry and consumer education, and bolster public safety to protect the integrity of the most equitable cannabis market in the country.” 

The state confirmed that BioTrack, the current seed-to-sale system, will remain in place until Metrc launches. According to the press release, Metrc provides seed-to-sale tracking in 27 jurisdictions and has training and implementation support services available for industry participants to help with the transition.

You can read the entire press release from the state below.

Press Release

Previous Coverage

I recently wrote about this topic and another cannabis-system transition that is expected in the future. You can read about it here.

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#258 – The Reality of Being a Craft Grower in Illinois – The Cole Memo

In this episode of The Cole Memo, I will sit down with an Illinois cannabis operator for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to try to build a business in the state’s legal market. Watch video version and read show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/02/08/e258/

1. #258 – The Reality of Being a Craft Grower in Illinois 01:50:16
2. #257 – Illinois Cannabis Sales Drop as Lawmakers Revisit Search Rules 21:58
3. #254 – Announcing the Midwest Cannabis Forum + Other Discussion on Cannabis Policy Today 59:16
4. #256 – Illinois Cannabis Reform 2026: What Advocates Want and What Might Actually Move 01:22:48
5. #255 – Arrests Keep Coming in “Legal” Illinois 01:18:46